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<DIV><FONT id=role_document face=Arial size=2><FONT size=6>Complaints lodged
over TV layoffs</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV class=byln><SPAN class=253213816-21112007><FONT face=Arial>Springfield
Republican, </FONT></SPAN>Wednesday, November 21, 2007
<DIV>By MARCIA BLOMBERG</DIV><B>mblomberg@repub.com</B> </DIV>
<P>SPRINGFIELD - The new owner of WGGB-TV abc40 laid off as many as 10
staffers last week, according to the union that represents some of the
employees, though the owner disputes that number. </P>
<P>The union, the National Association of Broadcast Employees and
Technicians Local 19, also filed two complaints against Gormally
Broadcasting LLC with the National Labor Relations Board, according to
William J. Murray, a regional staff representative with the national union.
</P>
<P>Murray said that John J. Gormally Jr., who bought the station from
Sinclair Broadcasting earlier this month, declined to accept the existing
contract with the union as is the right of new owners under some
circumstances and "used that opportunity to lay some people off, including
some long-term people." </P>
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<P>According to the union, two full-time news photographers, including one
with 14 years of experience, a full-time reporter, a full-time news
producer, two part-time production assistants and a part-time assignment
editor in the news department were laid off, for a total of seven union
members. </P>
<P>Three nonunion staffers, including a full-time national sales manager and
two part-time receptionists were also laid off, according to the union. </P>
<P>Gormally said three part-time and three full-time staffers in the news
department were laid off, but said he would not discuss personnel issues
further. </P>
<P>He said the layoffs would "absolutely not" affect the station's news
coverage. </P>
<P>"Abc40 has the most robust television news department, in quality and
quantity, in Western Mass.," Gormally said. </P>
<P>Murray said, "We're disappointed. We were thrilled he was taking over
from Sinclair, which was a very bad company, but we didn't have layoffs with
Sinclair." </P>
<P>Gormally, for his part, said: "I don't think it's uncommon in business,
when a new owner comes in, that he picks his team, with a sound business
plan. </P>
<P>"The station was overstaffed. There hasn't been a general manager in over
a year. Some difficult decisions had to be made," he said. </P>
<P>Murray said that one complaint filed with the labor relations board
alleges that one staffer, who served as secretary and treasurer of the
union, was laid off because of his union activity, while the other alleges
that the owner should have bargained with the union over the layoffs. </P>
<P>Murray said the layoffs were not made by seniority. </P>
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NOSEND="1"></NOSCRIPT>Gormally declined comment on the union complaints
filed with the labor relations board, except to say he had only seen one.
</P>
<P>He said the laid-off staffers were provided severance and continued
health insurance coverage "to lessen the blow. </P>
<P>"I don't take any solace or enjoyment in giving good people bad news, but
changes had to take place, decisions had to be made to remain competitive
and profitable. I need to think about the 100 workers that are here now,
that's my obligation as an employer," he added. </P>
<P>Gormally also announced last week that he plans to launch a local Fox
broadcasting affiliate on Channel 55, which is WGGB-TV's digital channel, by
the end of the year. </P>
<P>That affiliate will have a local newscast at 10 p.m.
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